Ducati Monster Forum

Here is the current Bill:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/SB00506I.htm (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/SB00506I.htm)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
     
AN ACT
     relating to the operation and movement of motorcycles during
     periods of traffic congestion.
            BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
            SECTION 1.  Section 545.060, Transportation Code, is amended
     by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
     follows:
            (a)  An operator on a roadway divided into two or more
     clearly marked lanes for traffic:
                  (1)  shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within
     a single lane, except as provided by Subsection (e); and
                  (2)  may not move from the lane unless that movement can
     be made safely.
            (e)  The operator of a motorcycle may operate the motorcycle
     for a safe distance between lanes of traffic moving in the same
     direction during periods of traffic congestion if:
                  (1)  notwithstanding Section 661.003(c), the operator
     and any passenger wear protective headgear that meets the safety
     standards adopted by the department; and
                  (2)  the operator operates the motorcycle:
                        (A)  at a speed not more than five miles per hour
     greater than the speed of the other traffic;
                        (B)  in traffic that is moving at a speed of 20
     miles per hour or less; and
                        (C)  in a location other than a school crossing
     zone or a location where the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour
     or less.
            SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

Interesting thing is that it is hooked to mandatory helmet law (a non issue for most). I for one would welcome this on hot summer days. Thoughts?  [leo]

Dejavu.  The exact same bill died in committee a year or two ago.

The purpose for requiring helmets is for when they get smacked in the head by a F250's extendo mirror when the driver swerves to block.  It'll take a public awareness campaign IF the bill passes this time.

If this bill goes through it's a bad time to be without a bike Doc.   [moto]

Here's to lane splitting.  [beer]

I wonder how long it would take for Texas drivers to get used to this.  I welcome the bill.

when is this being voted on?

If history repeats itself, it will never make it to the floor. :-\

Oh, I'll have a new one well before a lane splitting bill actually makes it out of a committee meeting in Austin.

Dr. J always the optimist.  ;D

damn, I really hope this passes.

Would be cool [thumbsup]

Would be awesome if this gets pass as well.  I expect a higher rate of accidents though when this passes  :'(  Cagers in Texas just don't care of bike riders  :-\

Status:

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB506 (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB506)

+1 or they are just preoccupied with their texting habits.

I've split lanes in downtown Dallas to get out of a massive traffic, but I wouldn't do it on a normal basis.  I just don't trust the cagers enough to let a moto through.

Yeah BABY YEAH~!!!!!!!

Growing up in SoCal, this was the Bombay for traversing screwed up freeway traffic............

It gave incentive for people to ride bikes instead of cages and you could get around the city much faster.....

That said *however*.............in my mis-spent youth I'd split deadstopped traffic @ 70 mph +...hell, everybody did it like that.....stupid?   abso-freckin' lutely.....would I ever ride like that again?  No 'effin' way...unless I'm trying to catch Frank or Joe.......accidents are actually rare with this proceedure....it's when you get off the freeway when it all goes wrong.....

I can't see it as a benefit for Austin as the traffics not really that bad.....Houston/Dallas?  You guys are gonna love it (if it passes)

Thanks for the linky doc.  [thumbsup]

Personally I don't see this bill passing.  This has been brought up a couple of times already and died on the floor.  You have to keep in mind that California is a little more progressive than us when passing laws (or tolerating the behavior since lanesplitting not technically "legal" out there).

The mentality of drivers in the big cities of Houston & Dallas is one thing that will prevent this bill from passing.

Until I see the Guv actually signing the bill, I'm withholding my  [drink] celebration.

Texting?!!  What's wrong with texting? Or posting on the interweb for that matter?  ???













- Sent From My iPhone   [laugh]

Little bit of progress. [thumbsup]  Made it out of the Senate commitee. [beer]
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB506 (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillStages.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB506)

Senate Passed.......on to the house Committee.

Wasabi

Actually, this bill was originally introduced as House Bill 1522 during the 79th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature in 2005 and it was never even set for a public hearing by the House Committee on Law Enforcement, the committee to which the bill was referred.

The bill did not resurface during the 80th Session of the Texas Legislature in 2007.

During the current session (the 81st Regular Session), it was introduced as a Senate bill by Sen. Carona, who chairs the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security, which is why it was recommended by the committee and was passed by the Senate with hardly any discussion, and why it has a probability of being passed by the Texas House of Representatives.

jD

Thanks for the info dude and welcome to the forum. There are several of us here that really hope this passes. I check the progress almost daily.

The bill has been referred to the House committee on public safety, which at present, has 156 other bills pending before it.

jD

So what you're saying is that the house will pass it any day now.














 :P

sombody please make them VOTE this through already!!!!!!!!!!!

hating mopac all of the dayz.

It will take it awhile to make it out of the house committee.  After that it will get voted on pretty quick.

any idea of how long?  months, weeks, years?! [bang]

It should be any day now before it gets out of the House committee, then the house has to vote on it which should be fairly quick.

this is like watching pasta boil.

my 695 is slow, but its pretty tiny, so this bill could validate the purchase even more.  one more reason why ducati is better than harley...and the goldwing...

R.I.P. 

The bill died in committee on Saturday.